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By LisaStrickland-MeadeSpecial to VCSHomes.com

Tucked up against theSantaSusana

mountainsand surrounded by picturesque

rolling hills is thescenic community of

Simi Valley. Located just 40 minutes from

downtown Los Angeles and mereminutes

from the San FernandoValley, SimiValley,

with itseasy accessto several major freeways

and Metrolink service, is centrally located

for work or play.Wideopen spaces, rolling

hills and valley views, fabulous weather andfantasticdining, shopping and recreational

opportunities all

welcomeprospective

residentsto a place they

will surelywant to call

home.

SimiValley offers

a littlesomething for

everyone. Outdoor

enthusiasts can enjoy

the milesof dedicated

biking, hiking and

walking trails. Golfers will appreciate Simi

Valleys six golf courses and horseenthusiasts

will be impressedby thenetworkof

equestrian trailsand facilities. Food lovers

will delight in thevariety of dining options in

SimiValley, ranging from formal and eclectic

to family friendly. Shoppers will be pleased

by theassortmentof storesin town,with

offerings from largechain retailers to smaller,boutique local businesses.

Family living just cant

be beat in Simi Valley.The

city repeatedly appears on

theSafest Citiesin America lists. Simi

Valley schools aretop notch andstudents

consistently score above state and national

averages on achievement tests. SimiValley

High Schoolhas been featured as oneof

thetop 1,000 high schools in thecountry.

Thereare many collegesand higherlearningfacilities nearby for those wishing to proceed

with higher education, which 80 percent

of SimiValley studentsdo. Well-keptsports

fieldsand organizedsports activities abound

andwith 35 parks,playgrounds anda dog

park,everyonein the family issure tobe

pleased.

Residentsalso can enjoy the cultural

and entertainment offerings unique to Simi

Valley.The beautifully restored SimiValley

Cultural Arts Center offerslive, local theatre

eventsand a variety of other performances.

Sinceits opening in 1995,it has beenhost to

hundreds of performances and patrons have

cometo enjoythe quality entertainmentoffered at reasonable

prices. The Ronald Reagan

Presidential Library and

Museum, besides providing

touring opportunities, also hosts numerous

exhibitions, lectures and family-oriented

events.

Current residentsof Simi Valley may be

wondering just what their home is worth or

about their options for refinancing. People

looking to relocate to Simi Valley may needhelp finding that perfectloan fortheir dream

home. JoeEngle, of LoanSmart in Simi Valley,

is here to help. LoanSmart is a brokerage

agency runby real estate brokerEngle. He

hasbeen a resident of Simi Valley for11 years

andhas been veryactive in thecommunity.

His extensive personal knowledgeof Simi

Valley and surrounding communities,

combined with his13 years mortgage

industry experience, make him an excellent

resource when shopping fora loan.

Mortgage rates areat thelowest level

in over 50 years, so anyone thinking of

refinancing or buyingshould call to seewhat

rates areavailable andif they qualify,saidEngle.

In particular, the refinancemarket has

really openedup andthere arelots of

programs and new opportunities available.

Refinancerates are unbelievably low right

now,said Engle.You cancall me to see

if you qualifyfor theHomeAffordability

RefinancePlan sponsoredby Fannie Maeand

Freddie Mac.

Homeowners looking to refinance might

be curious about thevalueof their currenthome. Engle invites them to give hima call

andhe will provide a complimentaryupdate

on theestimated current value of a property.

Engleis happy to educate prospective clients

aboutthis andother refinance options in this

rapidly changing market.

LoanSmart works with clients to match

their needs to theloan services that best

work forthem.Senior citizens might be

interested in the reverse mortgage, which

can be a great tool to receive tax-free cash

in a lump sum or in monthly installments.

Reverse mortgagescan be used to pay off

existing mortgage debt for seniors 62 and

older.Lenders have morereverse mortgagetype programs available right now andthe

feesfor these mortgages have recently come

down quitedramatically, saidEngle.

Engle believes in educating his clientele

on all thedifferent products that might help

them reach their goals of findinga better

loan or home ownership. In fact, Engle

offers complimentary consultations over the

phone, in hisoffice or in hisclients home.

Thisattention to detail and personal service

is why people choose LoanSmart.For more information,checkout its

website at http://www.loansmartinc.com or

call Engle at hisoffice, 915-2600, or on hiscell

phone, 490-0009.

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ZIPPINGaroundventuracounty

SimiValley93063

ENGLE

LoanSmart offers local experience, personal serviceTheSimi ValleyCulturalArtsCenterhas servedthe communitysince themid-1920swhen itoriginally was theSimiCommunityMethodistEpiscopal Church.Since then ithasserved asa mortuary,Jewish temple,a residenceandeven a temporaryhigh school.Thecity acquiredtheproperty in 1991andrestored it.

Lisa Strickland-Meade / Special to VCSHomes.com

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